The court heard how the “professional and commercial” cannabis factory was set up after Martin Bristow, who played a leading role in the organised crime gang, rented the Bwlch-y-Gynog farmhouse in Saron, Denbigh, from his cousin.

The remote location was deliberately chosen to minimise the risk of being detected, and the gang kept a Rottweiler at the farmhouse as added protection.

When police raided the farm last November, they uncovered a crop of 295 plants with a potential yield of more than 14kg of skunk cannabis worth between £138,00 and £276,000.Police said the “sophisticated” operation was capable of producing an annual yield of £2m.

The farmhouse was fitted out with several growing and drying rooms and the electricity supply had been tampered with to power the equipment.

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Those in the dock today ranged from leading members of the gang to others recruited to act as labourers and caretakers of the farm.

Darren Gray, 29, of Capricorn Crescent, Dovecot, who was in overall control and whose criminal activity continued while on bail, was jailed for a total of six years – four years eight months for conspiracy and 16 months for concealing criminal property.

Martin Bristow, 41, of Prospect Vale, Fairfield, was jailed for five years and one month.

Judge Trevor Jones said he played a leading role in letting the property from his cousin while “clearly aware” of its intended use, maintained regular contact with the co-conspirators and provided use of a vehicle and accommodation for those involved at the farm.

He was sentenced to three years four months.Lee Gray, 30, of Coronation Drive, Prescot, who played a “significant” role in the operation, was sentenced to a consecutive two years for conspiracy and 16 months for concealing criminal property – a total of three years four months.

He said he was asked to mind the money uncovered in the Saab but accepted it was from the proceeds of drugs.

The final three gang members were recruited as labourers and had no managerial input.

Kenneth Lacken, 40, of no fixed abode but formerly of Dyke Street Everton was the caretaker at the farm from the beginning to the end of the operation and was jailed for two years.

The third Gray brother, Thomas Gray, 23, of Alton Road, Tuebrook was brought in to harvest the crop and was sentenced to 16 months.

David Garland, 36, of Sedley Street, Anfield , helped with the harvest to pay off a drug debt.

He was jailed for two years with an aggravating feature being his previous convictions including possession of cannabis, burglary and robbery.

Following the gang’s sentencing, Det Supt Chris Green, said: “Merseyside Police treats all drug production, cultivation and supply seriously and the arrest of these seven people and the discovery of the large scale cannabis production site at a farm in Wales has significantly disrupted the supply of cannabis in to our communities.

“This was a large and sophisticated operation capable of producing a yearly yield of £2m.

“I have no doubt that this was organised crime and the fact that we have prevented these drugs from reaching the streets, where they fuel so much other crime, is extremely satisfying.

“During the operation our officers seized just under £56,000 at the home of one of the defendants, this is money made on the back of misery that drugs bring to our communities and it shows Merseyside Police will do all it can to take action against those who line their pockets to the detriment of our society.”

Anyone who has any information about those involved in the production of cannabis, or who believes that cannabis is being produced in a premises near to them, is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.